Woodstock Letter #22

 



I must admit, my thoughts are not quite collected enough to give you a final entry. I think I will have one more opportunity to write next week. I'm not sure. No matter what, I will be sure to sit once I get home and write the things that I would really like to share with all of you. I'll do it without a time limit....oh, how glorious that will be.

My thoughts cannot really form a final letter, because my thoughts aren't there yet. It feels like a normal week of mission life-it's just another Monday. I like that. I am grateful that I feel this way. I will love going home when the day arrives; but, for now, I am here-heart, body, and soul.
This is a repeat from my mormon.org profile. I wanted to share something simple, but direct; sure from my heart, and clear.

I am a Mormon because I've come to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior; and, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His Church-the exact Church that He established when He was on the earth thousands of years ago. As such, His Church is guided by a living prophet who is the Lord's mouthpiece for each of us. Countless times I have had experiences which have proven to exchange what I used to know and who I used to be for something far better than I ever could have imagined-all due to elements of this, Christ's Church.

Currently, I live my faith by putting lots of my life on hold, traveling to the bi-polar weather of Chicago, Illinois where I am a missionary. Day-in, day-out I have the privilege of representing Jesus Christ by inviting God's children to do the things I've done in my life that have brought me unforgettable joy and peace-the joy and peace that are only found through Jesus Christ.

I could type until my fingers literally would not obey the commands of my brain and still not fully explain each statement made above. There are countless experiences-sacred in nature-that have given me the foundation to say each of those things. I hope that over the course of my blogs I have been able to share a small number of those experiences. Many of those experiences will stay in my heart, too sacred to share. I pray that my words have conveyed enough so that you have been able to feel, not just read. These words are me. They are my spirit, my life, my heart.

God's goodness, manifest in my life over these past 18 months, cannot be put into words. It is impossible. I hope it is enough to simply say this:

God is good.

Woodstock Letter #21

Hermanas Hoer & Rasmussen with the district elders.

Hermanas Rasmussen, Hoer & Alvarez

Hermanas Rasmussen, Alvarez & Hoer working out at the gym.

Leshelle & friend...

Dinner time!

Second to last email....we only have this one and one more next Monday. The following P-Day is the day of transfers. I assume that we won't have email time among the group leaving, since we fly home the shortly thereafter. We'll see. I have no idea.

I sprained something in my hand and wrist last week. It is on video. Of course.....haha.

My companions are great.  We exercise every day.  Thank goodness for the gym!  It's owned by a member of the church so we are able to attend for free!

I get to see Hermana Stuart next week!  She is coming to our area for a baptism.  Very special -- both seeing Hermana Stuart and the baptism.

My mission has been a very spirtual and personally sacred experience.  I know Heavenly Father is making something out of me.  I think and hope as He is, he is also using me to help others along the way. 

I have developed a beautiful, personal testimony of prayer and personal revelation and learned that Heaven is not very far away.

I'm thinking back about a talk Elder Ellis shared at a Zone Conference.  He spoke of personal revelation -- what the Spirit does, what God does and what we do in that process.  He used the example of Nephi, when Nephi was tied up in the boat.  Nephi followed the Spirit and prayed for strength to break the bonds, rather than to be untied or something.  Nephi was granted that strength by God.

My binders for letters are nearly full.  Thank you for the prayers and letters.  They have been a consistent, constant source of light and strength for me. 

Love,
Leshelle

Woodstock Letter #20



Hello,

God has given me many gifts as a missionary that I didn't have before I came, at least not in the same way: a deep & tested testimony of the Book of Mormon, the ability to ask inspired questions, the ability to apply the scriptures in the lives of the people we teach, and an increased knowledge of doctrine & the scriptures.  I am thankful for these gifts.

Not long ago I studied Alma 10:11.  We are promosed that as we are on the Lord's errand He will bless us, our homes, our families, our every need.  This is a wonderful and true promise.

When I get home and before I move to Utah I would LOVE to go with the missionaries in the Auburn Stake who need Spanish speakers. I was thinking I'm willing to make myself available to them in any language. Dutch even. Ha, ha!  I just really want to be continually involved with missionary work and I want to really keep up with Spanish. It's hard to believe that it is almost time to return home from my mission. 

I feel behind with letter-writing, and realize I may never catch up.  Missionary schedules don't allow a lot of time for letter-writing and such, but that's not the main reason that I am here.  I am here to testify of Jesus Christ, so that is my focus.  However, to everyone who has written me, please know how very grateful I am for your support and thoughtfulness. 

Love,
Leshelle

Editor's Note: Leshelle will be speaking about her missionary experiences on Sunday, September 9th @ 1:00 p.m. at the LDS Auburn Stake Center (1255 Bell Road) for anyone who would like to attend.  

Woodstock Letter #19

Editor's Note:

There wasn't much time this week for Leshelle to write her blog letter, but she was able to share a few quick things about her new companion (see below after the photos).  Leshelle will be coming home in a four weeks, so she is traning two companions, neither of who have been on their mission long, (Hermana Alvarez is brand new and Hermana Rasmusssen has been out only a few months) to have them ready to take over their area when Leshelle comes home. 

 Hermanas Rasmussen, Hoer & Alvarez with (new) President & Sister Fenn

Leshelle, Hermana Alvarez & Hermana Rasmussen

 Picture Leshelle scetched on the place mat of the above photo in front of the restaurant.

From Leshelle:

Hermana Alvarez is our new companion. She is from Colombia, then Ohio, then Utah (for the past 3 years).  She is very strong, and an angel. She is so tender and kind. She is silently very thoughtful.

Leshelle with Hermana Delis, her companion from the MTC.  Hermana Delis completed her mission and went home last week.  Leshelle was able to see Hermana Delis at the mission home right before she left, when she and Hermana Rasmussen picked up Hermana Alvarez.